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Magnetic sense of direction in woodmice for route-based navigation

Abstract

Orientation to the Earth's magnetic field has been shown for bacteria, planarians, molluscs, insects, elasmobranch fish, salamanders and birds1,2. Recent work indicates that humans may also have a magnetic sense of direction3,4. We present here the first evidence for such a sense in a mammal other than man, the European woodmouse. In addition, by manipulation of the magnetic information available during the outward journey (an approach used previously with pigeons5,6), we present the first clear evidence that both route-based and location-based mechanisms can be involved in goal orientation following displacement.

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Mather, J., Baker, R. Magnetic sense of direction in woodmice for route-based navigation. Nature 291, 152–155 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1038/291152a0

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